News

What’s a Congregation Worth?

A look at whether a congregation adds economic value to its community.

Download a PDF of this article here

Copyright © 2011 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Previous articles related to church life and money & business include:

Should Congress Change Pastors' Housing Allowances? | The current tax code excludes the rental value of a home from pastors' taxable income. (March 28, 2011)

Are American Evangelicals Stingy? | Observers discuss whether Christians are generous enough with their money. (January 31, 2011)

How Evangelicals Give | Church members' giving is decreasing in the recession, especially as a percentage of income. (January 31, 2011)

CT previously spotlighted Christian names, how evangelicals give, evangelical vs. mainline politics, today's pilgrims, President Obama's faith, the future(s) of missions, health-care reform, Africa, American Idol, Haiti, Robert Park, persecution, Supreme Court and crosses, international religious liberty advocates, and church violence.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

Proselytizing in a Multi-Faith World

God of the Schizophrenic

Evangelism as Sacrament

A Beautiful Anger

Why We Love Amish Romances

Books to Note

Excerpt

Counterfeit Gospels

Review

The Gods of the Checkout Aisle

Poet Amena Brown Speaks the Truth in Rhythm and Rhymes

Wilson's Bookmarks

Carolyn Arends Contemplates Her Own Death, and Yours

Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God?

News

Sweat Lodge Prayers

My Top 5 Books On Poverty

Editorial

An Everyday Scandal

News

Rehab Revival: Evangelism Among Addicts Seeing Success

An Improbable Alliance

News

Tough Calling in Africa

News

Pushing Back the Desert: Niger's Christians Get Creative for Daily Bread

Readers Write

News

Exit Visa: Iraqi Christians Look for Safe Haven

News

Thanksgiving Question Nearly Deports Tortured Christian

What Christian Novel Should Be Made Film?

News

Quotation Marks

Two Peoples Separated by a Common Revelation

Multi-Faith Matters

News

Go Figure

News

Borders' Bankruptcy Affects Christian Orgs, Pregnancy Center Signs Violate Free Speech & More News

News

Should Congress Change Pastors' Housing Allowances?

Review

Rob Bell's Bridge Too Far

View issue

Our Latest

News

Malaysian Court Vindicates Family of Abducted Pastor

A judge finds authorities complicit in Raymond Koh’s disappearance, granting millions in damages and ordering a new investigation.

News

When God Closes a Church, He Opens Another?

US evangelicals are buying up shuttered Catholic properties.

Why CT Was Skeptical of Cold War Calls for Peace

In 1959, evangelicals looked to political leaders to hold up America’s great spiritual heritage as responses to the Soviet Union divided Christians.

The Bulletin

Dick Cheney Dies, Democrats Win Elections, and Merz Says ‘Go Home’

The life and legacy of Dick Cheney, Tuesday’s elections, and Germany signals future deportations.

News

After Hurricane Melissa, Jamaican Baptists Look to Rebuild from the Ruins

Churches step in as shelters, aid sites, and sources of hope after the island’s strongest storm.

News

Zohran Mamdani’s Coalition Captured Some Christians, Alarmed Others

The democratic socialist’s energetic campaign paid off in Tuesday’s election.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Justin Giboney: Stop Outsourcing Your Witness

Faith that holds conviction and compassion in the same breath.

When Songs Undermine Orthodoxy

Church songs need to be true, not necessarily catchy.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube